PSC takes Old Marlboro Pike Solar extension request under advisement pending PEPCO and queue information

Old Marlboro Pike Solar LLC asked the Public Service Commission for an 18‑month extension to the operational deadline for its two‑megawatt community solar project in Prince George’s County. Staff recommended granting a waiver for good cause and suggested a $200 penalty for allowing the prior deadline to lapse; commissioners did not decide the matter at the July 23 meeting and took the request under advisement while asking staff to gather additional information from Pepco about invoicing and the interconnection queue.

Staff presentation: Harrison (staff) reported that Old Marlboro Pike had requested an 18‑month extension through Nov. 18, 2026, citing delays from Pepco responsiveness, county permitting delays and the project manager leaving the company. Harrison said the project had previously received a 12‑month extension by paying a $50 per‑kilowatt deposit to Pepco, totaling $100,000 per COMAR requirements, and that the company estimated preconstruction development was 75% complete. Staff concluded there was good cause to grant a waiver but recommended a $200 penalty for the missed deadline.

Commissioners’ concerns: Commissioner Linton pressed staff on whether the commission or its staff caused any administrative error; staff replied there was no staff error. Linton and other commissioners examined whether delays with Pepco or Prince George’s County were independently verified; staff said they had not contacted Pepco or the county directly and would do so. Commissioners also asked whether granting the extension could harm other projects in the interconnection queue; staff said it generally does not affect queue positions unless multiple projects share the same feeder or substation.

Developer response: Max Cook and Craig Knowlton appeared for the developer. Knowlton acknowledged the company missed the administrative deadline due to an internal calendaring error after their project manager left. The developer said the project has met the Treasury Department’s safe-harbor purchase threshold (more than 5% of project materials) and has secured materials to preserve the investment tax credit; the company said it has purchased more than the 5% threshold as a buffer.

Pepco and interconnection queue: Pepco staff (Taylor Beckham) agreed to look into an invoicing delay that the developer described (an 8–10 month period tied to a prior extension payment) and to report back on whether other projects are queued behind this project for interconnection purposes. Commissioners indicated they wanted that Pepco information before deciding whether to grant the 18‑month extension or provide an interim waiver.

Commission action: The commission did not grant the full 18‑month extension at the meeting. The body instead took the request under advisement and directed staff to obtain follow‑up information from Pepco about invoicing and queue positions; commissioners said they would either issue a waiver or an interim order after receiving Pepco’s response.

Ending: The matter will return to the commission after staff receives and reports Pepco’s information; the commission noted the project had already secured materials and aimed to begin on‑site construction in Q4 2025 if permitted and financing remain in place.